KR20170058914A - Method and apparatus for intermediately storing double-length semi-finished products - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for storing a dual length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product in the middle includes providing a tipping apparatus and forming a substantially cylindrical semi-finished article of double length in the tipping apparatus. The method further comprises providing a cutting device and cutting the double-length semi-finished product into a single product with a cutting device, and providing a packaging machine and packaging a single product with a packaging machine. The method includes the steps of transferring the double-length semi-finished product from the tipping apparatus to the cutting apparatus and transferring the single article from the cutting apparatus to the wrapping machine, and transferring the double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product from the buffer arranged between the tipping apparatus and the cutting apparatus Step.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a double-

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intermediate storage of double-length semi-finished products. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a double-length semi-finished product and storing the double-length semi-finished product in the middle before manufacturing and packaging a single product. Preferably, the single product is an aerosol-generating article such as, for example, a smoking article.

Handling rod-shaped consumer products may present a number of challenges in high-speed manufacturing processes. For example, aerosol-generating articles such as filter cigarettes are typically made from at least two cylindrical bodies, for example tobacco rods and filters. During the manufacture of an aerosol-generating article such as a filter cigarette, the two cylindrical bodies are joined during the rolling process by the tipping paper. The tipping paper produces a small step-change between the circumference of the first cylindrical object and the circumference of the second cylindrical object. This step makes an angle between the edge of the tipping paper and the free edge of the second cylindrical object. While the angle is generally small, during production, the majority of the finished aerosol-generating articles can be layered stacked together in a mass-flow or hopper, and the cumulative effect of each small angle is significant at the top of the stack An angle can also be achieved. This may allow the aerosol generating article to jam within the mass flow or hopper, especially since the mass flow production process allows some free movement of the aerosol generating article. The effect depends on the size of the stepped portion produced by the tipping paper and the length of the product between the free edge of the second cylindrical object and the tipping paper. When the product has a non-uniform mass distribution, especially when the center of mass of the article is in the region of the article with a smaller diameter, the risk of catch further increases. The effect is further increased when the part of the article with a smaller diameter is ductile, so that when the articles are stacked on top of one another, they enter the adjacent article due to gravity, increasing the containment of the article on one side, The stacking angle may be increased.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus that can handle large flows of short, ductile, substantially cylindrical objects, particularly between the manufacturing and packaging sites of the manufacturing process.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for storing a double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product in the middle. The method includes providing a tipping apparatus and forming a substantially cylindrical semi-finished article of double length in the tipping apparatus. The method further includes providing a cutting device and cutting the semi-finished product into a single product with a cutting device, providing a packer and packaging the single product with a wrapper. The method comprises the steps of transferring the semi-finished product from a tipping device to a cutting device and transferring the single product from the cutting device to a packaging machine, and buffering the double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product in a buffer arranged between the tipping device and the cutting device .

The double-length semi-finished product may be temporarily stored in the buffer before being transferred to the cutting device. The buffer may be regarded as a loop of variable size, preferably in the transport system. The buffer is a mass flow system. This may be, for example, a tray system, where the double-length semi-finished product is loaded into the tray and then back into the process flow of the transport system at a later stage. Preferably, the buffer is part of a transport system that allows the double-length semi-finished product to always be guided into the buffer and through the buffer. These inline buffers have the advantage of being able to respond immediately to reduced input or output speeds. It also has the advantage that the input-output order in and out of the buffer can be defined (e.g., first-in-first-out or post-in-first-out) within a precision that is inherent to the bulk flow. In addition, due to the in-line buffer, the overall production can be maintained in the same environmental condition, so that the environmental conditions for the manufactured product may remain substantially constant in contrast to the tray system.

Figure 1 schematically shows a manufacturing process with a buffer system;
Figure 2 shows a section of a segmented rod made in a combiner;
Figure 3 shows a dual product made in a device according to the invention;
Figure 4 shows a single product made in a dual product as shown in Figure 4;
Figure 5 schematically shows another embodiment of the manufacturing process;
Figure 6 schematically shows the stacking angle problem of a single product.

When the output speed of the buffer becomes lower than the input speed due to, for example, cutting of the product downstream of the buffer, change of direction, or slowing or stopping of packaging, the buffer is filled with the double-length half-finished product. When the input speed drops below the output speed, the buffered double-length semi-finished product is provided to the cutting device from the buffer without slowing down or stopping the manufacture of a single product.

In the buffer, the double-length semi-finished products are processed according to the mass product flow. The mass flow of the product requires less space than the individual product flow. However, mass flow is not precise. For example, localization of each product in a mass flow can not be used in a mass product flow. In mass flow, the product is transported along a general direction of travel. In mass flow, the individual products have some degree of freedom for random movements in the general direction of transport, for example upward or downward movement if the general direction of transport is horizontal. Thus, the precise location of individual products in bulk flow is not known. In addition, the individual speed of the product along the general direction of conveyance is not necessarily the same as the average conveying speed of the product in the large flow. If individual handling of the product is required, the product is handled according to the individual product flow. For example, in a tipping apparatus or in a cutting apparatus, products are processed according to individual product flows. In the individual product flows, control over the individual products is given at any stage in the manufacturing and processing line. For example, the location and alignment of products is always known. This makes it possible, for example, to provide a single discharge device at only one location in the processing line. The detecting means for detecting an object that does not meet the specification requirement may be arranged along the entire processing line, for example. Due to the individual product flow, the object to be discarded may be virtually marked and discarded further down by the discharge device. In order to convert the bulk flow into individual flows, the flow switching units are arranged between the corresponding processing units, for example hoppers.

The buffer may be arranged downstream of the tipping device so that the double-length semi-finished product may be stored in the middle. In particular, semi-finished products may be produced continuously and temporarily stored in a tipping apparatus. For example, stopping or slowing of the tipping device or its parts may be at least temporarily avoided at the downstream end of the manufacturing process, for example, when cutting, redirecting or wrapping of the product is interrupted. It also allows for the continuous manufacture and packaging of a single product even when the manufacturing process in the tipping apparatus or the preparation of the semi-finished product is discontinued.

As used herein, the terms " upstream " and " downstream " when used to describe relative positions of elements of a transfer unit or other device, or a portion of the elements, Quot; direction " That is, the semi-finished product moves in the downstream direction from the upstream end to the downstream end. In addition, the downstream end and upstream end or proximal and distal ends are used to describe the orientation of the semi-finished product or single product, or the direction in which the user sucks a single product. In a single product corresponding to an aerosol-generating product comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece corresponds to the downstream end of the single product and the aerosol-forming substrate corresponds to the upstream end of the single product. Thus, the user aspirates the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article so that air enters the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and moves downstream toward the downstream end.

Providing buffers for semi-finished products has the added advantage that a single product can be packaged immediately after cutting so that storage of a single product is not required. The storage of semi-finished products is more convenient and therefore more easily aligned and aligned, since this product is longer than a single product. The semi-finished product may be held in an array stacked in a buffer, for example.

While smoking articles such as conventional cigarettes are particularly substantially homogeneous in weight, the aerosol-forming article may not be particularly homogeneous in weight distribution due to the different segments into which this aerosol-forming article is combined. For example, a cigarette plug is a segment with a higher density, for example, than a filter segment or cavity, and is typically arranged at the distal end of a single product. Thus, a single product has a center of mass that transits from its midpoint to its distal end in half the length of this single product. Thus, this single product may tend to skew when transported or stored into the mass flow section.

The inclination of a single product may also occur when a single product is laminated. As summarized above, aerosol generators typically consist of several cylindrical segments. During manufacture of a single product, the segments are combined with a tipping wrapper. The tipping wrapper covers the proximal portion of a single product and extends over a portion of the length of a single product. The tipping wrapper creates small steps between the proximal and distal circumference. This step forms an angle between the edge of the tipping wrapper and the distal end of the single article. This stacking angle is very small. However, during production, many products are stacked on top of each other in bulk flow or hopper layers. Therefore, it is also possible to make the stack of the product tilt by continuously accumulating the angle. This tilting may cause a jam in the mass flow part or the hopper. The effect depends on the size of the steps produced by the tipping wrapper and the length of the product between the distal end and the tipping wrapper. Therefore, for an aerosol-generating article having a small diameter, this effect is further increased. Also, the thick tipping paper used in the manufacture of aerosol generating products may further increase the step size. As noted above, due to the non-uniform weight distribution, as the product may have a non-uniform mass distribution, especially when the mass of the article If the center is on the side of the article with a smaller diameter, the risk of catching is further increased.

The effect is even greater when the side of the article with the smaller diameter is ductile. When the articles are stacked on top of each other, the soft part may enter into the adjacent product due to gravity. Thus, the inclusion of the article on one side is increased, eventually increasing the stacking angle.

In a double-length semi-finished product, such unevenness is reduced or completely avoided over the entire length of the semi-finished product. Double-length semi-finished products are symmetrical about the midpoint in half length. Thus, the dual product is symmetrical about the midpoint and has a center of mass within the center of the dual product. In addition, the stacking angle of these dual products is substantially 0 degrees. Therefore, there is no imbalance at the one end of the double-length semi-finished product versus the other end of the semi-finished product. Thus, tilting and seizure of the product can be substantially avoided, so that the risk of trapping can be significantly reduced or avoided altogether.

The method according to the present invention may also reduce undesirable compression of a single product and a semi-finished product at the bottom of the laminate. This is particularly advantageous when dealing with a single product which may include a step of the diameter of each single product along the length of the product. In particular, reducing the gravity acting along the stack of products may reduce the cumulative stacking angle effect described above, or otherwise result in jams in the bulk flow portion. This positive effect is further increased in rod-shaped products where the area with the tipping paper is relatively stiff relative to other parts of the product. According to the present invention, the gravity acting on the dual product is concentrated around a stiffer portion with the tipping paper to form a primary point of contact between the stacked dual products and thus to reduce the crushing force on the more ductile product portion .

Cutting a double-length semi-finished product only shortly before a single product is packaged may result in a product that has not been cut yet (which forms the end of the product that is later cut) is still subjected to mechanical and environmental influences, It has the added benefit of being partially protected.

In the method according to the present invention, the double-length semi-finished product produced in the tipping apparatus can be supplied to the buffer on-line, and can also be transferred from the buffer back to the cutting apparatus and also to the wrapper. Because the products in the buffer are processed in a mass flow, preferably the switching unit is arranged between the buffer and the cutting device to convert the bulk flow into an individual flow. The switching unit that achieves this transition from the bulk flow to the individual flow may be, for example, a hopper.

According to an aspect of the method according to the invention, the step of packaging a single product is followed directly by the step of cutting the double-length semi-finished product. Preferably, these two steps are performed immediately after each other. Optionally, these two steps are separated only by the step of orienting a single product in the same orientation. Due to the presence of a buffer arranged upstream of the cutting device, i. E. Upstream of the production location of a single product, preferably a single product is packaged immediately after being cut. According to one embodiment according to the invention, during the orientation step, each single product is redirected such that all the single products are aligned in the same orientation. Alternatively, the two parts of the cropped product may involve separate mass flow of the cropped product. Thus, one of these mass flows may be diverted, for example, by performing a 180 degree diversion along the mass flow direction. In a wrapping machine, it is preferred that a single product is packaged directly into a number of products, for example a pack of twelve products. By the orientation step, all single products are oriented to have the same orientation when packaged.

According to another aspect of the method according to the present invention, the method further comprises detecting an interruption of the manufacturing process. If a break in the manufacturing process is detected downstream of the cutting device or cutting device, the semi-finished product is transferred from the tipping device into the inflatable buffer portion to fill the inflatable buffer portion. When an interruption of the manufacturing process is detected upstream of the tipping device or the tipping device, the double-length semi-finished product is transferred from the inflatable buffer portion to the cutting device to empty the buffer. That is, filling the buffer means that the buffer has an input speed higher than the output speed of the semi-finished product. It is therefore understood that emptying the inflatable buffer portion has an output speed higher than the input speed of the semi-finished product. If the semi-finished product is transported at a certain rate through the buffer, there is no filling or emptying in the sense of accumulating the temporary stock of semifinished products or reducing the temporary inventory of semi-finished products.

Double-length semi-finished products require at least one cutting step to produce a single product. Double-length semi-finished products have a double length of a single product. Double-length semi-finished products require several process steps to produce single and final products, including, but not limited to, cutting, wrapping, orientation (orientation), or some or all of these process steps . A single product may be a consumer product, such as an aerosol generating product, for use in an aerosol generating device.

The term " substantially cylindrical " semi-finished product or segment is used herein to describe a semi-finished product or segment having a substantially constant cross-section along their length and includes, for example, a cylinder having a circular or elliptical cross-section. The semi-finished product and the segment may be, for example, a rod shape having a circular or elliptical cross section.

According to another aspect of the method according to the present invention, the distal portion of a single article and the proximal portion of a single article have different diameters due to the tipping paper being wrapped around the proximal portion of a single article. The different diameters describe the stacking angle at which the distal end of a single product can be tilted with respect to the horizontal plane over which a single product is placed. This stacking angle may range between 0.08 and 0.35 degrees, preferably between 0.09 and 0.30 degrees, and may be larger than, for example, 0.12 degrees.

According to one embodiment, each single product includes an aerosol generating base, a mouthpiece, and a tipping wrapper that secures the mouthpiece to the downstream end of the aerosol generating base. In this embodiment, the tipping wrapper has an upstream edge extending around the aerosol generating substrate and a downstream edge extending around the downstream end of the mouthpiece. Preferably, the distance between the upstream end of the aerosol generating base and the upstream edge of the tipping wrapper is less than about 40 mm, preferably less than about 30 mm. As described above, the present invention may reduce the effect of the total stacking angles produced in the stack of aerosol generation products, each containing stepped outer diameters produced by the tipping wrapper. The reduction of the lamination angle effect provided by the present invention is particularly pronounced in aerosol generation products having relatively short lengths.

As a result of the reduction of the lamination angle effect provided by the present invention, the method according to the present invention may also accommodate an aerosol generation product, each preferably comprising a tipping wrapper having a thickness between 0.04 mm and 0.06 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the tipping wrapper is 0.06 mm or less and 0.04 mm or more.

The steps and the resulting stacking angles depend on the position at which the single articles are stacked together. Generally, the tipping paper is packaged in one layer. However, the joint where the tipping paper is overlapped has a thickness twice as large. The overlap in the seam within the tipping wrapper in combination with the tipping wrapper on the opposite side of the aerosol generating article when wrapped around the outside of the mouthpiece and aerosol generating base to form the aerosol generating article, Thereby causing a maximum stepped portion of the outer diameter of the outer diameter. Thus, in such embodiments where the tipping wrapper has a thickness between about 0.04 mm and about 0.06 mm, the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article has a maximum step at the upstream edge of the tipping wrapper between about 0.08 mm and about 0.12 mm . When calculating the stacking angle of the entire aerosol-generating article, the upper and lower step differences have to be considered, and this average step size and the corresponding stacking angle correspond to about two to three times the thickness of the single tipping paper (depending on the orientation of the seam) do.

The reduction of the lamination angle effect is achieved by the fact that the mass center of each aerosol generating single product is shifted further away from the tipping wrapper and towards the aerosol generating substrate when compared to a conventional filter cigarette, It also has a positive effect on.

According to one aspect of the method according to the invention, the distance between the center of mass of a single product and the midpoint along the length of a single product is preferably between about 5% and 20% of the total length of a single product, Between 7% and 15%, most preferably between about 10% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article and 15% of the total length of the aerosol-generating article.

According to an aspect of the method according to the invention, the segment in the semi-finished product is at least one of an aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol cooling segment, a support element and a mouthpiece. According to another aspect of the method according to the present invention, the semi-finished product comprises an arrangement sequence of an aerosol-forming substrate, a support element, an aerosol cooling segment and a mouthpiece. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a tobacco-containing substrate. Preferably, the support element is a hollow acetic acid tube and has the function of an expansion chamber for the aerosol produced in the aerosol forming substrate. Preferably, the aerosol cooling segment is comprised of a crimped or corrugated or crimped and pleated polylactic acid sheet. In the arrangement sequence, the support element is disposed between the aerosol forming substrate and the aerosol cooling segment. The arrangement order may be supplemented by additional segments. Preferably, this additional segment is disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol cooling segment.

As used herein, the term " corrugated " is used to describe a sheet that is substantially transversely tangled, folded, or otherwise compressed or contracted in the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generation article.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate comprises a sheet having a pleated texture of the homogenized tobacco material.

As used herein, the term "textured sheet" refers to crimped, embossed, engraved, perforated or otherwise deformed sheets. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise a sheet having a pleated texture of homogenized tobacco material comprising a plurality of spaced indentations, protrusions, perforations or combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term " crimped sheet " refers to a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or corrugations. Preferably, substantially parallel ridges or corrugations extend parallel to and along the longitudinal axis of the semi-finished product. This advantageously facilitates wrinkling of the crimped sheet of homogenized tobacco material to form an aerosol-forming substrate. However, when the aerosol-generating article is assembled, the crimped sheet of the homogenized tobacco material, alternatively or additionally for inclusion in the aerosol-generating article, comprises a plurality of substantially parallel < RTI ID = 0.0 > Ridge < / RTI > or wavy pleats.

The term " segment " is used to describe an element of a semi-finished product having delimited boundaries. The discrete segments may have a longitudinal extension that is greater than a radial extension. The segments preferably have a substantially circular cross-section. Preferably, the segments of the semi-finished product have at least one of different flexibility, different hardness, different compressibility, different weight, different shape, different length, different structure, different material properties, different suction resistance or different filtration characteristics. The segments of the semi-finished product may, for example, be cuttable or not cuttable. Preferably, the non-uniformity of the semi-finished product is found along the length of the semi-finished product or along the length of one or several segments. For example, non-uniform firmness may be present in a filter element made of a filter tow containing a capsule. The segments may be, for example, concentric or non-concentric. Preferably, the segments of the segment assembly are made of different materials such as, for example, carbonaceous or ceramic materials, cardboard materials, paper materials, metals, filter tows, polylactic acid, tobacco or tobacco containing materials, plant leaf materials, Or is included. The segment may have a length equal to or several times the length of the plug. Where 'plug' is a single length segment as in the final product.

In aerosol generation semi-finished products, segments with different compression ratios are generally used. The semi-finished product may include a rigid segment that may be disposed next to the soft segment. Some segments should not be strongly pressed or compressed to avoid scratching, deforming, or otherwise inadvertently damaging. Such a segment may be, for example, a rigid segment or a plastic deformable segment.

Preferably, at least one segment is a rigid segment. The stiff segment preferably has a compressibility higher than about 10 Newtons / 1.5 mm, preferably less than about 100 Newtons / 1.5 mm. Preferably, the compressibility of at least one of the segments is between about 20 Newton / 1.5 mm and about 100 Newton / 1.5 mm, more preferably between about 50 Newton / 1.5 mm and about 100 Newton / 1.5 mm.

In some embodiments, the stiff segment is broken and will not be compressed at all, such as, for example, a ceramic segment or a carbonaceous segment, which segment will fracture instead. In such an embodiment, the compressibility is substantially infinite, since the segment would be broken rather than compressed.

Rigid segments are basically non-compressible or non-flexible at compression, as compared to at least partially flexible segments, such as segments containing filter elements made of, for example, aerosol-generating substrates or filter tows.

The rigid segment may be, for example, a heat source such as a combustible heat source. The heat source may be a carbonaceous or carbon-based heat source, i. E. A carbon-containing heat source or a heat source comprising primarily carbon with a carbon content of, for example, at least 50% by dry weight. The length of the heat source segment may be from about 6 mm to about 15 mm, preferably from 10 mm to about 12 mm. The outer diameter of the heat source segment may be about 5 mm to about 12 mm, e.g., 7 mm.

The rigid segment may be, for example, a support element in the form of a hollow tube. The tube may comprise or consist of acetic acid cellulose or paperboard or both. The length of the support element may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm, for example 8 mm. The outer diameter of the support element segment may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm, for example from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 6 mm to about 8 mm, for example 7 mm.

Preferably, at least one segment is a compressible segment. Preferably, at least one segment of the semi-finished product is a compressible segment. The compressible segment may be, for example, an aerosol cooling segment or an aerosol forming substrate.

In some implementations, the compressibility of the segments is non-uniform in the filter segment, including, for example, capsules dispersed in the filter material. In such a case, if the filter material, for example acetate tow, is compressed, the segment may initially be easily compressed. Thereafter, upon reaching the capsule, compressibility is reduced. Thereafter, after the capsule is broken, the compressibility is increased again.

Depending on the method of manufacturing the aerosol generation semi-product, the segments may be included in the semi-finished product to a final (single) length, or may be included in a single product as a segment stream having twice the length of a single segment. Preferably, the aerosol cooling segment is contained in the semi-finished product as a double-length segment.

The aerosol-forming substrate is a substrate capable of emitting volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating or burning, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by chemical stimulation or mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid or a liquid, or may contain both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, dipped, or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-based material, for example a homogenized plant-based material. The botanical materials may include tobacco, e. G. Homogenized tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise a non-tobacco containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-forming agent. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise components such as nicotine and other additives and flavoring agents. Preferably the aerosol-forming substrate is a tobacco sheet, such as a cast leaf tobacco. Cast tobacco is a form of reconstituted tobacco formed from slurries comprising tobacco particles, fiber particles, aerosol formers, flavors, and binders. The tobacco particles may be in the form of a tobacco powder having a particle size in the order of preferably about 30 to 80 mu m or about 100 to 250 mu m depending on the desired sheet thickness and the cast gap. The fiber particles may include tobacco stem material, band, or other tobacco plant material, and other cellulosic fibers, such as wood fibers having a low lignin content. The fiber particles may be selected based on a need to produce a sufficient tensile strength for the cast leaf, with a low content, for example, a content of about 2 to 15%. Alternatively or additionally, fibers such as plant fibers may be used with or in combination with the above-described fibers and with bamboo.

Aerosol-forming substrates containing sheets of corrugated homogenized tobacco for use in aerosol-generating articles may be prepared by methods known in the art, for example, those disclosed in WO 2012/164009 A2.

An aerosol former may be added to the slurry forming the cast leaf tobacco. Functionally, the aerosol formers can be evaporated within a temperature range that facilitates delivery of the nicotine or flavor of the aerosol or both nicotine and flavor when the cast tobacco leaf is used in a tobacco product and the aerosol formers are heated above the evaporation temperature . The aerosol formers are preferably selected on the basis of their ability to remain chemically stable and essentially stationary at room temperature or at about room temperature tobacco leaves, but to be able to evaporate, for example, at high temperatures of 40-450 DEG C do.

As used herein, the term aerosol refers to a solid or liquid particle and a colloid containing the vapor phase. Aerosols may be solid aerosols or liquid aerosols composed of gaseous phases and gaseous liquid aerosols. An aerosol may contain both solid and liquid particles in the gaseous phase. As used herein, both gases and vapors are considered gases.

The aerosol aerosol generating substrate may have an aerosol formulator content of from about 5% to about 30% on a dry weight basis. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol forming substrate has an aerosol formulator content of about 20% on a dry weight basis.

Preferably, the aerosol formers are polar and may also function as wetting agents, which may help to maintain moisture within a desired range of cast tobacco leaves. Preferably, the wetting agent content of the cast leaf tobacco ranges from 15% to 35%.

The aerosol forming agent may be selected from polyols, glycol ethers, polyol esters, esters, fatty acids and monohydric alcohols, such as menthol, and may include polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol; A mixture of glycerin, erythritol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin, meso-erythritol, diacetin, At least one of compounds which are at least one compound selected from the group consisting of triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillylate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene glycol.

One or more aerosol formers may be combined to utilize one or more properties of the combined aerosol formers. For example, triacetin may be combined with glycerin and water to take advantage of the wetting properties of glycerin and the ability of triacetin to transfer the active ingredients.

The length of the aerosol-forming substrate segment may be from about 5 mm to about 16 mm, preferably from about 8 mm to about 14 mm, for example 12 mm. Thus, the double-length aerosol-forming substrate preferably has a length of about 16 mm to 32 mm, preferably 24 mm. The outer diameter of the aerosol-forming substrate may be at least 5 mm, and may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm, for example from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 6 mm to about 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol forming substrate has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm +/- 10%.

The cigarette-casted leaf is preferably crimped, wrinkled and / or folded to form a rod-shaped segment. The cast leaf material is tacky and tends to undergo plastic deformation. When pressure is applied on the casted leaf segment, the segment tends to irreversibly deviate from the intended, e.g., circular, shape.

The aerosol cooling segment may be a component of the aerosol generation semi-product and is in the final product located downstream of the aerosol forming substrate. In use, the aerosol formed by the volatile compounds released from the aerosol forming substrate passes through the aerosol cooling segment. The aerosol is cooled internally through contact with the cooling material. The aerosol cooling segment is preferably located between the aerosol forming base and the mouthpiece. Preferably, the aerosol cooling segment has a large surface area, but causes a low pressure drop. Filters and other mouthpieces that cause high pressure drops, such as those formed of fiber bundles, are not considered to be aerosol cooling segments. Chambers and cavities such as expansion chambers and support elements are not considered to be aerosol cooling segments. The aerosol cooling segment preferably has a porosity greater than 50% in the longitudinal direction. The airflow path through the aerosol cooling element is preferably relatively unrestrained. The aerosol cooling segment may be a corrugated sheet or a crimped and crimped sheet. The aerosol cooling segment may be selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), aluminum foil, ≪ / RTI > and the like. The aerosol cooling segment may preferably comprise a PLA sheet, and more preferably may comprise a crimped and pleated PLA sheet. The aerosol cooling segment may be formed of a sheet having a thickness from about 10 [mu] m to about 250 [mu] m, e.g., about 50 [mu] m. The aerosol cooling segment may be formed from a corrugated sheet having a width between about 150 mm and about 250 mm. Aerosol cooling segment may have a specific surface area of about 1000mm ² mg or about 10 mm ² to weight per weight of about 100 mg per mm ² of about 300mm ² to mm length per mm length. In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may be formed of a sheet of corrugated material having a specific surface area of about 35 mm ² per mg.

The aerosol cooling segment may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm to about 10 mm, e.g., about 7 mm. The aerosol cooling segment in a single product, the aerosol cooling plug, may have a length of from about 7 mm to about 28 mm, for example, about 18 mm. Thus, the dual-length aerosol cooling segment preferably has a length of about 14 mm to 56 mm, preferably 36 mm. The outer diameter of the aerosol cooling segment may be from about 5 mm to about 12 mm, e.g., 7 mm.

The compressibility of one segment is measured by a compression test in which the segment is placed on a substantially planar support surface and a force is applied downward on one side of the segment using a head having a flat 12 mm curved surface moving at a speed of 100 mm / May be measured. A suitable device to perform such tests is the FMT-310 Force Tester of Alluris GmbH. Prior to testing, the segments were conditioned for 24 hours at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius and 55 percent relative humidity prior to compression testing. The test continues until the insert is compressed to 1.5 mm. The force at this point (Newton) is compressive. If the test can not continue until 1.5 mm compression, the force can be normalized to 1.5 mm. In other words, if the maximum compressive force is 28 Newtons and the compression is 1.4 mm at this maximum compression, the reported value for compressibility will be 30 Newtons / 1.5 mm (28 Newtons divided by 1.4 and multiplied by 1.5).

The segment of the semi-finished product may be a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is the last segment in the downstream direction of the aerosol generating article or aerosol generating device. The consumer contacts the mouthpiece to deliver the aerosol-generated article or the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator to the consumer through the mouthpiece. Thus, the mouthpiece is disposed downstream of the aerosol forming base. The mouthpiece may also include a filter. The filter may have low particulate filtration efficiency or very low particulate filtration efficiency. The filter may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. The filter may be longitudinally spaced from the aerosol forming substrate. The filter may be a cellulose acetate filter plug.

The mouthpiece may have an outer diameter of from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, for example, from about 6 mm to about 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has an outer diameter of 7.2 mm +/- 10%. The mouthpiece may have a length of from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, preferably from about 5 mm to about 14 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has a length of approximately 7 mm.

The aerosol generating substrate and other segments upstream of the mouthpiece, such as the support element and the aerosol cooling segment, are surrounded by an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the outer wrapper is a cigarette paper.

A single article may have a total length of between about 40 mm and about 50 mm, for example about 45 mm. The segment of semi-finished product may also be a cavity or cavity arranged between two successive segments. Here, the pores do not have any material to form cavities when they are packaged into a piece of packaging material. The cavities or pores may serve, for example, to help inflate the aerosol in the aerosol generation semi-finished product or to fit the length of the aerosol generation semi-finished product to the desired length of the final product. By cavity or pore, this may be done without restricting the suction resistance (RTD) of the aerosol-generating article or without significantly limiting it.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing a double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product. The apparatus includes a tipping apparatus for forming a substantially cylindrical semi-finished product of double length. The apparatus further comprises a cutting device for cutting the double-length semi-finished product into a single product and a wrapper for packaging a single product. The apparatus further includes a transfer system for transferring the double-length semi-finished product from the tipping device to the cutting device and the single product from the cutting device to the wrapper. In the apparatus, the buffer is arranged between the tipping apparatus and the cutting apparatus in order to store a double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product.

According to an aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the distance of travel between the cutting device and the wrapper is less than about 50%, preferably less than about 30%, for example about 15% of the total distance of travel between the tipping device and the wrapper. The total feed distance is measured from where the double-length semi-finished product leaves the tipping apparatus until a single product enters the wrapper.

Preferably, cutting the double-length semi-finished product into a single product is performed immediately upstream and prior to packaging a single product. Accordingly, a single product need not be transported over a long distance before being packaged.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, said buffer is a mass flow buffer system for double-length semi-finished products. In a mass flow system, the semi-finished product follows the main transport direction, but it does not necessarily have to have the same predetermined operating path. The semi-finished products need not be aligned exactly with each other. Preferably, in a mass flow buffer system, several semi-finished products are arranged on top of each other to form a laminate that extends in the transport direction of the semi-finished product.

According to another aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the buffer has a capacity corresponding to a production capacity of about 5 minutes to 30 minutes, preferably about 10 minutes to 20 minutes, for example about 15 minutes. The buffer also has a capacity to buffer, for example, at least 10'000 double-length semi-finished products, preferably at least 50'000 double-length semi-finished products, for example, more than 100'000 semi-finished products. Optionally, the buffer capacity may be adapted to an absolute amount of the product to be buffered or a relative number corresponding to the time resulting from the reduced or interrupted input or output in or out of the buffer.

The capacity of the buffer may be defined by the length of a conveyor band suitable for conveying a stack of double-length semi-finished products, for example semi-finished products. According to one aspect of the apparatus according to the invention, the buffer comprises a conveyor band for conveying the double-length semi-finished products arranged on the conveyor band and a support guide for guiding the part of the conveyor band to a different level arranged above one another . If the conveyor bands are arranged at different levels, for example in a spiral manner, the buffer space may be used efficiently. In addition, the buffer capacity may be enlarged or limited, for example by providing additional layers.

The buffer may be, for example, a buffer system as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,422,380, which is suitable for transporting and buffering semi-finished products. At the input station of the buffer system, the semi-finished product transferred from the tipping apparatus to the input station by the transport system is accommodated. Thus, at the output station of the buffer system, the semi-finished product is collected from the buffer and transferred from the buffer to the cutting device by the transfer system. Between the input station and the output station, the capacity of the buffer may be adapted as needed. For example, the buffer capacity may be changed by increasing the height of the semi-finished product in a mass flow or by changing the distance between the input station and the output station. However, since the semi-finished product is rod-shaped and does not have a tipping step, there is no stacking angle problem in US 6,422,380.

According to another aspect of the apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a control device for on-line control of the double-length semi-finished product. The control device may be provided for controlling the manufacturing process or for controlling, for example, the quality or manufacturing process and quality of the product.

Controlling the manufacturing process may be, for example, control of the presence or absence of a product or product component. The quality control of the product may include, for example, the visual appearance of the product or an internal specification such as, for example, the density, moisture content, or absorption resistance (RTD) measurement of a double-length semi-finished product. Such control measurements may be performed on-line. In general, for example, the RTD of a dual product is different from the RTD of a finished product. However, the target range for the RTD of semi-finished products is generally defined. If the RTD of the product is within this target range, the product will pass the control. An RTD measurement or any other control measurement may identify the defective product. This product may be removed from the transfer system and accordingly from the device according to the invention. The RTD measurement may be performed before the semi-finished product enters the buffer or before the semi-finished product is cut from the cutting device. RTD measurements performed before the semi-finished product is fed into the buffer may provide a safe buffer capacity because the defective product can be removed from the process before it is stored in the buffer. The RTD measurement performed after the double-length semi-finished product leaves the buffer may be used to remove the product from the process that is negatively affected in the buffer system.

Advantages and other aspects of the apparatus have been described with respect to the method according to the present invention and therefore will not be repeated.

Preferably, the method and apparatus according to the invention as described herein are used in the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in detail in connection with the embodiments shown by the following figures.

1 shows a process for producing a semi-finished product in the form of a double product in a tipping apparatus. The tipping apparatus 6 includes a coupler 5 arranged adjacent to the upstream side of the tipping apparatus 6 and upstream. The duplex article 655 is transferred from the tipping apparatus 6 to the buffer 8 where it is transferred to the cutting apparatus 7 and is followed by a wrapping machine 75.

The first rod 10, the second rod 20 and the third rod 30 of the material used in the production of the aerosol-generating article are fed and cut to the respective cutting devices 15, 25 and 35, respectively. The first, second and third segments thus cut are fed in end-to-end relationship on the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5.

2 to 4 , the first and third rods 10, 30 are arranged at a distance of twice the length of the end plugs 1, 3 before being supplied to the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5 And cut into double segments 11, 33 having a length. The second rod 20 is cut into a single segment 2 having the length of the plug 2 of the single product 777 directly before being fed into the longitudinal movement path.

The segments 11, 2, 33 form a stream of segments, and the axes of the segments are arranged parallel to the longitudinal movement path. A cigarette paper sheet 51, for example, a cigarette paper is provided to the adhesive with an adhesive feeder 52. The package sheet 51 is fed along the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5 and guided. The stream of segments is wrapped in a wrapping material 51, for example at each garniture provided along the longitudinal path of travel. The additional adhesive feeder 53 adds adhesive bonding to the packaging material 51 before the packaging material is completely wrapped around the stream of segments. The rod of segments thus formed is now cut at the end of the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5. There is provided a rod cutting device (not shown) that cuts the first segment 11 at the cutting line 100 (see Fig. 2) to cut the rod of the segments. The first segment (11) is cut in half so that the two cut portions of the first segments correspond to the plug (1). By cutting this infinite rod, packaged segment rods 555 are produced, which are further processed in the tipping apparatus 6 before being transferred to the buffer 8. The plug 1 forms a distal segment of the packaged segment rods 555, respectively. The packaged segment rods 555 are now transferred from the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5 to the vertical movement path of the tipping device 6. [

This may be done by further moving the packaged segment rods, for example, in a linear motion into the longitudinal grooves of the receiving drum that are fluted in the tipping apparatus along the longitudinal movement path 500. Therein, the longitudinal axis of the flutes is aligned with the longitudinal first movement path. The transfer of the receiving drum from the coupler into the longitudinal groove may be carried out, for example, by the spider mechanism described in U.S. Patent No. 5,327,803 for cigarettes. The packaged segment rods are then gripped by the spider arm from the coupler and transported into the flutes of the receiving drum in the tipping apparatus by the spider arm.

Since the axes of the segments substantially maintain their orientation while being processed in the coupler and the tipping apparatus, the axis of the segment is parallel to the direction of travel of the longitudinal movement path of the coupler 5, but the direction of the vertical movement path of the tipping apparatus 6 Lt; / RTI > The tipping apparatus 6 is preferably disposed perpendicularly to the coupler 5 so that the respective movement paths are perpendicular to each other. Thereby, the axes of the segments are always oriented in the same direction.

In the tipping apparatus 6, the packaged segment rod 555 is divided by cutting the second segment 33 at the cutting line 200. [ Thereby, the second segment 33 is cut in half so that the two cut portions of the segments correspond to the plug 3. The thus cut packaged segment rod 555 is separated by a separation device (not shown) along the longitudinal axis of the packaged segment rod 555. The fourth segment 44 is inserted into the space between the thus cut and separated pre-packed segment rods 555. The fourth segment is also a double length segment and is cut into a respective cutting device 45 from a fourth rod 40 which is fed to the tipping device 6. A continuous sheet of tipping paper 60 is provided and cut into individual tipping wrapper pieces 64 at the cutting device 65. The piece of tipping wrapper 64 is wrapped around the fourth segment 44 as well as around the two portions of the cut pre-packed segment rod 555. Thus, these elements are joined together to form a dual product 655 as shown in FIG. This dual product is now transported to the buffer 8 for intermediate storage of the dual product 655. If desired, the dual product 655 leaves the buffer 8 and is transported to the cutting device 7. Here, the dual product 655 is cut in half by cutting the fourth segment 44 at the cutting line 300. Thereby, two single and final products 777 as shown in Fig. 4 are produced. The different single products may then be turned so that all products have the same orientation. The aligned and oriented product is then conveyed to a packaging machine 75 for packaging the product directly, for example, in a pack of cigarettes. A tray 81 may be additionally provided in parallel with the buffer 8. On the tray 81, the dual product may be collected as (over extended periods of time) storage and for future use, or as an overflow to expand the capacity of the buffer 8. Thus, the transfer system or buffer 8 has means for branching the excess product.

In Fig. 5 , the manufacturing process of a single product is shown in the arrangement of the coupler 5 and the tipping device 6, in which the coupler 5 and the tipping device 6 are arranged adjacent to each other and perpendicular to each other. The linear movement path 500 in the coupler 5 and the vertical movement path 600 in the tipping device 6 are also arranged perpendicular to each other. The vertical movement path 600 starts when the longitudinal movement path 500 ends. The coupler 5 includes three hoppers 55,56, 57 for feeding three different segments alternately into the longitudinal movement path 500 to form a stream of segments. The stream of segments is then wrapped in a wrapper 58 to form a load of infinite segments. The load of the infinite segments is cut into a segmented rod packaged by the next rod cutting device 101 controlled by the controller 59. Preferably, the rod cutting device 101 is a rotary knife disposed next to the longitudinal movement path 500. Controller 59 may be provided to control the location of segments within the load of infinite segments. For example, to ensure that the load is precisely cut between segments or at a location where the segment is divided into smaller segments, for example to determine the exact position at which the load should be cut. Then, each of the wound segment rods is delivered into the longitudinal grooves of the vertical groove receiving drum 65 of the tipping apparatus 6, respectively. The longitudinal movement path 500 is substantially a straight path, wherein the segments or streams of segments are guided substantially along a straight line. The first movement path 500 extends into the longitudinally-shaped receiving drum 65 of the tipping apparatus. The longitudinal movement path is arranged parallel to the longitudinal grooves of the vertical groove receiving drum 65 so that the packaged segment rod cut by the rod cutting device 101 is continuously moved in the linear motion of the vertical groove Lt; / RTI >

The following packaged segment rod is then cut on the longitudinally-shaped receiving drum 65 by a product cutting apparatus 201 which, for example, comprises a rotary knife. Two parts of the cut packaged segment rod are separated while being arranged in the flutes of the separation drum 66. The hopper 41 inserts a segment that is different from the segments of the load of the additional segment, preferably the infinite segments, between the two portions of the packed segmented rod. Preferably, the additional segment is a dual length mouthpiece. The two portions of the rod of the cut packaged segment and the inserted additional segment are tapped on the tip 67 with a piece of tipping material, for example a piece of paper. These combined segments form a dual product. At the end of the tipping device 6, the formed double product is conveyed to the buffer 8. From the buffer 8 the duplex article is delivered to the final cutting device 301, where the duplex article is cut into two single products. In a subsequently arranged redirecting device 72, each other single product is redirected by 180 degrees, or a portion of the bulk flow is conveyed by a 180 degree redirection so that all single products have the same orientation Direction. The single product so oriented is then transported to and packed in a wrapper 75.

In the coupler and tipping device, which includes the transfer from the combiner to the tipping device, the packed segment of the rod and the dual product are processed according to the individual product flow. In individual product flows, control is given to individual products at any stage in the manufacturing and process lines. For example, the location and alignment of products is always known. In the buffer 8 the product is buffered and transported in accordance with the bulk flow 700. In mass flow, the product is generally transported in the direction of travel and accordingly. Thus, the precise location of individual products in bulk flow is not known. Buffer 8 includes an inflatable buffer portion 81 that may accommodate changes in bulk flow, for example, if either the upstream or downstream machine, for example, changes the process rate for maintenance . In the meantime, the inflatable buffer portion 81 is filled or emptied along the transport path 800. The bulk flow 700 through the buffer 8 ends at the final cutting device 301. After the cutting device, at the redirection device 75 and after redirection, the aligned single product is transported back to the storage of the packaging machine 75 according to the bulk flow 900. Here, the single product is preferably collected in the storage portion to be supplied to the packing machine 75. In Figure 5, individual product flows are indicated by solid lines and bulk flows are indicated by dashed lines.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a portion of a stack of aerosol generating articles, such as the single article 777 shown in Figure 4. Each single product 777 includes an aerosol generating base 1 fixed to the mouthpiece 4 by a tipping wrapper 64. The aerosol generating base 1 has an aerosol- The thickness of the tipping wrapper 64 is exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the step change in outer diameter of each single product 777 at the upstream edge 640 of the tipping wrapper 64. [ As a result of the center of gravity 14 of each single product 777 being located upstream of the tipping wrapper 64, each single product 777 is obliquely tilted relative to the underlying single product 777 on which it is placed. Although each individual angle is relatively small, an angle between a pair of successive single products 777 provides a cumulative effect, so that a significant laminating angle 16 with respect to the horizontal direction 17 is formed on top of the laminate. For example, over the total height of the entire stack in a vertically stacked channel, the stack angle 16 may be large enough so that a single product 777 at the top of the stack tapers in a vertical orientation, In particular, a single product 777 can cause a trap in the bottom of the buffer or hopper that reaches the individual supply channels.

Basically, the risk of product jams is limited to the transfer of mass flow products. However, due to the buffering of the dual product in the mass flow buffer 8, the risk of product jams in the entire production line is avoided or kept to a minimum. A single product is stored in bulk flow only after the cutting device, or possibly in the storage portion of the packaging machine, before packaging. However, since the amount of a single product in the packer storage is small, the risk of trapping a single product is insignificant.

Exemplary data for the process and product as described in Figures 1-4 are as follows:

The tobacco rod 10 having a length of 120 mm is cut into a double segment 11 having a length of 24 mm. The double length segment 11 is then cut into a final plug 1 having a length of 12 mm.

The hollow acetic acid tube rod 20 having a length of 96 mm is cut into a plug 2 having a length of 8 mm.

The rod 30 of the corrugated polylactic acid sheet 144 mm long is cut into a double segment 33 of 36 mm length. The double length segment 33 is then cut into a final plug 3 of 18 mm length.

The filter rod 40 is cut into a double length segment 44 of 14 mm length. The double length segment 44 is then cut into a final plug 4 of 7 mm length.

The length of the semi-finished product 555 is 76 mm. The length of the dual product 66 is 90 mm. The finished product 77 has a length of 45 mm with a tolerance of less than +/- 1 mm, preferably less than +/- 0.5 mm. The diameter of the finished product is about 7.2 mm.

The final product is made of a series of cigarette plugs 1, a hollow acetic acid tube 2, a pleated polylactic acid (PLA) 3, and a mouthpiece plug 4. The tipping wrapper 64 has a length of 20 mm and covers the entire length of the mouthpiece plug 4 and the PLA plug 3.

The production rate for semi-finished product 555 may be about 5000 m / min at the moving speed of the segment stream along the longitudinal movement path of 380 m / min. The production rate of the dual product 655 may be about 5000 m / min, so that about 10'000 final products 777 may be produced.

1: Aerosol generation substrate
1,2,3: Plug
4: Mouthpiece plug
5: Coupler
6: Tipping device
7: Cutting device
8: buffer
10: First load
11,33,44: Segment
14: Center of gravity
15, 25, 35: Cutting device
16: stacking angle
17: Horizontal direction
20: second load
30: Third load
40: fourth load
41: Hopper
45: Cutting device
51: Wrapping sheet
52,53: Adhesive feeder
55, 56, 57: Hopper
59:
60: Tipping paper
64: wrapper piece
65: Cutting device
66: Dual product
67: Tipper
72: Direction switching device
75: packing machine
77: Final product
81: Tray
100,200: Cutting line
101: rod cutting device
201: Product cutting device
300: Cutting line
301: Final cutting device
500: longitudinal travel path
555: Semifinished product
600: vertical movement path
640: upstream edge
655: Dual product
700: Mass flow
777: Single product
800: Feed path
900: Mass flow

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1. A method for storing a double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product intermediate, the method comprising:
Providing a tipping device and forming a dual length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product in the tipping device;
Providing a cutting device and cutting the double-length semi-finished product into a single product with the cutting device;
Providing a packaging machine and packaging a single product with the packaging machine;
Transferring the double-length semi-finished product from the tipping apparatus to the cutting apparatus and transferring the single product from the cutting apparatus to the wrapping machine, and
Modifying a substantially cylindrical semi-finished article of double length in a buffer arranged between the tipping apparatus and the cutting apparatus. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of packaging the single product continues immediately after the step of severing the double-length semi-finished product and optionally separates only by orienting the single product in the same orientation. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: detecting an interruption of the manufacturing process downstream of the cutting device or the cutting device; and transferring the double-length semi-finished product from the tipping device into an inflatable buffer portion, Further comprising filling at least partially the portion of the formula buffer. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising emptying the inflatable buffer portion toward the cutting device, thereby at least partially emptying the inflatable buffer portion. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the segment in the double-length semi-finished product is at least one of an aerosol-forming substrate, an aerosol cooling segment, a support element and a mouthpiece. 6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the double-length semi-finished product comprises an array of an aerosol-forming substrate, a support element, an aerosol cooling segment and a mouthpiece, And is disposed between the aerosol cooling segments. 7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the center of mass of the single article and the midpoint along the length of the single article is preferably between about 5% and 20% of the total length of the single article In method. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distal portion of the single article and the proximal portion of the single article have different diameters due to the wrapping paper wrapped around the proximal portion of the single article, Describes the stacking angle at which the distal end can be tilted with respect to the horizontal plane on which the single product is placed, wherein the stacking angle is in the range between 0.08 and 0.35, preferably between 0.09 and 0.30, For example, greater than 0.12 degrees. An apparatus for storing a double length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product, the apparatus comprising:
A tipping apparatus for forming a double-length substantially cylindrical semi-finished product,
A cutting device for cutting the double-length semi-finished product into a single product;
A packaging machine for packaging the single product; And
And a transfer system for transferring the double-length semi-finished product from the tipping apparatus to the cutting apparatus and the single product from the cutting apparatus to the wrapping machine, wherein the buffer is configured to store a substantially cylindrical semi- And the cutting device is arranged between the tipping device and the cutting device. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transport distance between the cutting device and the wrapper is less than about 50% of the total travel distance between the tipping device and the wrapper. 11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the buffer is a mass flow buffer system. 12. A process according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the buffer has a capacity corresponding to a production capacity of the device of from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes, preferably from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, . 13. The process according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the buffer has a capacity to buffer at least 10'000 semi-finished products, preferably at least 50'000 semi-finished products, for example more than 100'000 semi-finished products The device. 14. A conveyor belt according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the buffer comprises a conveyor band for conveying the double-length semi-finished products arranged on the conveyor band, and a conveyor band for guiding the part of the conveyor band to a different level And a support guide. 15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a control device for on-line control of the semi-finished product.

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